Toronto-born Harper backs Calgary in Grey Cup

Born in Toronto but representing Calgary Southwest in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he’ll be happy with whichever team wins the Grey Cup -- even though he’s cheering for the Stampeders.

Harper waded into the delicate topic Monday, and in what could be a first for a prime minister, publicly declared his support for one team.

He wasn’t always a Calgary Stampeders fan, though.

Harper told reporters he remembers when the Toronto Argonauts and Calgary faced off in 1971, and he was cheering for Toronto -- the losing team.

“In fact, there’s a TSN special on it, ‘The Greatest Team that Never Won,’ the Toronto Argonauts,” Harper said.

“(Running back) Leon McQuay fumbling the ball on the 11-yard line, I think it was -- the reason I remember that so well is because I think that was the only time that I cried in front of the TV at a sports event.”

But the prime minister no longer calls Toronto home. And while he still has a “soft spot” for the Argos, they’re no longer his favourite team.

“No the shoe’s on the other foot,” he said. “I now live in Calgary.”

Photos

Prime Minster of Canada Stephen Harper takes part in a question and answer session at the Canadian American Business Council in Ottawa on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. (Fred Chartrand / THE CANADIAN PRESS)